NOW that Strictly’s sequins and spandex have been put away for another year, it’s time for the BBC’s red swivel chairs to take centre stage on Saturday nights.

The Voice UK, which sees four coaches choose their teams by just hearing their voices, has had some tweaks.

There are two new mentors, two new hosts and, if the rumours are true, a memo from the ‘top’ requesting that the show doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Sir Tom Jones and Will.i.am return as mentors for series three but we’ve said farewell to The Script’s Danny O‘Donoghue and Jessie J, who explained to her Twitter followers that her music has to take priority. Her replacement is pop princess Kylie Minogue, who was reportedly sought out by the show’s producers from the start. She might have turned it down back then but she couldn’t be happier to be taking her place on the red chair now.

It did take a little persuading from Will.i.am, 38, however, who “bombed” the meeting she had with producers in LA. As Will.i.am, the founding member of Black Eyed Peas, puts it: “Kylie’s reached a level of success that we all want – the show needs a Kylie.”

The pop star herself still had her reservations, though. “I did think about it for a while, as it was such a big commitment for me,” says the 45-year-old.

“I’ve never done anything like this before but it feels like the right time and now I’m doing it, the overall experience has been amazing.”

A global icon who’s sold 68 million records worldwide, it’s little surprise to hear she’s taking the competition seriously. “I will be strict if I have to be,” she admits. “I want them [my artists] to feel they have my support, and will be advising on things I’ve learnt as a performer, like light and shade, delivering the song, or showing them how to use the stage in a certain way.”

The Kaiser Chiefs’ frontman Ricky Wilson, 35, also joins the line-up. A fan of the show, he admits to shouting at the TV during the last two series and jumped at the chance to take part.

“I’ve spent the last 10 years of my life not making any decisions at all, and then suddenly this thing comes along and it felt like a really big decision,” says the singer, who’s been bonding with his fellow coaches, especially Sir Tom, 73.

“He’s been great and has really helped me a lot,” he says of the Welsh star.

Ricky didn’t feel a pull at the heartstrings over the contestants at the start but admits: “It is only when I got back to the hotel and started thinking about everything that you realise it is tough. When you get to know them, learn about their story and you see stuff in them that you recognise in yourself, it can get tough. I had my big break 10 years ago but I still recognise their drive and determination.”

As well as the new judges, two new hosts replace This Morning’s Holly Willoughby and Radio 1 DJ Reggie Yates. Mum-of-two Holly cited wanting to find a better balance between work and family life, while Reggie has kept quiet about his reasons.

The new hosts are Big Brother presenter Emma Willis and former JLS singer Marvin Humes.

While there are a few new faces, the format remains unchanged, starting with the blind auditions when each coach chooses 12 contestants. These are whittled down and put into competing pairs before it’s the knock-outs, with the mentors choosing their final three who go into the live finals and face the public vote. Each week, the coaches lose one contestant until a final four fight to be crowned series winner.

There have been two winners so far – Leanne Mitchell, coached by Sir Tom Jones in the first series, and Andrea Begley, mentored by Danny O‘Donoghue in the second. Neither have taken the charts by storm – yet.

Kylie admits that deciding when to press the button in the blind auditions was a nerve-wracking experience.

“So many things were going through my mind.

“I thought I would be looking for voices I could relate to but actually, I turned for voices that are nothing to do with me. I was a just a fan of that voice.

“It is not as simple as watching it at home! You think it is a guy and then it is a girl. You just don’t know. You form a picture in your mind from your set of life experiences about what the voice says to you, and then you turn around and it is very different.

The hardest thing I have found is saying no to people.”

Kylie’s certainly made an impression on will.i.am, who says she has made the show warmer and more caring.

“The first two seasons, we cared about the contestants, but it was different.

“This time, Kylie is like a mediator. She is too snuggable. I can’t go tit for tat with her. I am more likely to say ‘let me just give you the singer then.’ I am not going to fight for it, as I just want to snuggle with her!”